The
Playground
Gunnar’s Get-Away
PUPPY & MONKEY
The Adventure on the Snowy Mountain
Once upon a time, on a high, snow-covered mountain top, four extraordinary friends: Puppy, Monkey, Slothy, and Goat, came to the rescue of both friend and planet. Each of them had unique qualities that made them a close-knit and formidable group.
Puppy, the lovable and funny one, was always ready with a joke or a smile, brightening everyone’s day. Monkey, the tech-savvy genius, was known for his intelligence and computer skills. Slothy, although a bit clumsy, adored Monkey and had a deep bond with the group. Goat, the adventurous spirit, led Puppy on thrilling outdoor escapades, exploring the wonders of this crazy planet, we call Earth.
Their peaceful life took a sudden turn when they learned that their close friend, Fluffy the unicorn, had been possessed by a malevolent spirit from the underworld. It was a race against time to save Fluffy and prevent the spirit from taking over the world.
Following cryptic messages left on runestones worldwide, the group found themselves on the snowy mountain top. It was there they realized that this specific mountain held a portal to the underworld, which could unleash terrifying monsters and terrors. Their adventure was about to take a dangerous turn.
As they confronted Fluffy, she unleashed a powerful purple energy wave from her horn. Monkey was sent flying backward, away from the group and the device he had built to save Fluffy. The rest of the group, displaying their martial arts skills, fought back with all their might, using their wits, speed, and strength.
Monkey, despite his injuries, managed to crawl over to the device. He fixed a damaged electrotransduction polysensor node, a critical component. Just when it seemed all hope was lost, Monkey felt an extraordinary sensation, like a warm sun ray on his back and neck.
With newfound power and focus, Monkey activated the device. A green solid laser ray shot from it, targeting the tip of Fluffy’s horn. The ray formed a bright, glowing sphere that encapsulated a ghostly, snake-like phantasm, entrapping the bad spirit. With a deafening crack, the prison collapsed, and the portal to the underworld vanished.
Their world was safe, and Fluffy was finally free. Exhausted but victorious, the group celebrated their triumph and the return of peace. Their friendship had conquered darkness.
As they lay drained of energy, Monkey, the ever-resourceful one, reached into his backpack, which was essentially a portable lab. He retrieved a blue button with white dots and pushed it. A portal to his home opened.
Their living room appeared, and the smell of last night’s popcorn lingered on the kitchen counter. Memories of Friday movie nights with Puppy filled their minds. Comfort and familiarity flooded their senses.
With a second push of the button, a vortex swept up Slothy, Goat, Puppy, Monkey, and especially Fluffy. They were transported to Monkey and Puppy’s living room, signifying the end of their incredible adventure, for now.
The group knew that they had a bond like no other, one that could overcome any challenge. As they sat in their living room, they looked forward to the adventures that awaited them in the future, knowing that they were ready to face anything together.
(posted 11/04/23)
That Raccoon Can Fly!
Once upon a sunny afternoon in a charming little town, there lived a playful puppy named Puppy and a mischievous monkey named Monkey. On this particular day, they decided to treat themselves to a delightful adventure by visiting the local ice cream shop known as “The Big Spoon.”
At The Big Spoon, they discovered special giant waffle cones designed to hold over five scoops of ice cream each. Puppy and Monkey, always up for a culinary challenge, ordered these colossal cones. The shop boasted over 40 different flavors, and the dynamic duo had tried them all at least once, creating a delightful rainbow of flavors in their memory.
With their towering ice cream cones in hand, they began their journey back home, the sun warming their faces and the ice cream tempting their taste buds. It was a precarious balancing act, trying to keep the waffle cones under control with one hand while wielding a spoon with the other.
As they ambled along, struggling to enjoy their treats without mishap, they stumbled upon some friends from school. These friends were busy constructing a massive bike jump near the city park, their determination evident as they aimed to make it strong enough to withstand a bike and rider hurtling through the air at nearly 30 mph.
Puppy and Monkey, always curious and full of energy, couldn’t resist the temptation. They walked over to the gathering, continuing to munch on their ice cream and eagerly anticipating the upcoming scientific launch event. Finding a park bench about 20 feet away, they settled in, their eyes glued to the spectacle.
They couldn’t help but notice Sarah, a pretty and adventurous raccoon, preparing for the next stunt. Whether she’d be a daring stunt person or a test dummy all depended on how it ended up. The excitement was palpable as Sarah revved up, ready to make her mark.
With a thumbs-up from the onlookers, Sarah accelerated, gaining a jaw-dropping amount of speed. She was undoubtedly the best bike rider in the group. As she approached the jump, the “thud” of her takeoff reverberated through the air.
Sarah soared off the ramp, a blur of speed and determination. At about 10 feet above the ramp, Puppy and Monkey knew they were witnessing a record-breaking feat. Sarah’s control and focus were admirable as she almost brushed against a few tree branches on her ascent.
She flew higher and farther than anyone could have imagined, narrowly avoiding a distant pine tree’s lower branches. Her landing, however, proved to be a thrilling spectacle. Sarah touched down, slightly off-balance. Her tires hit simultaneously, but the landing wasn’t firm.
Skidding on a patch of fallen pine needles, Sarah’s bike veered towards the trunk of the tree. She held on, sliding another few feet before finally coming to a stop, her bike hitting a tree root. Sarah lay on the ground, looking at the clear blue sky, a gigantic smile forming on her face.
With a mixture of relief and excitement, Sarah had achieved the near-impossible. It was a launch, flight, and landing that bordered on the scientifically impossible. After what seemed like an eternity, Sarah jumped up, a few scratches on her, but her smile radiated triumph.
Puppy and Monkey rushed over to congratulate Sarah and the rest of their friends. It was an unforgettable adventure, surpassing any expectations they’d had for a simple trip to the ice cream shop. That raccoon had defied gravity and soared into the realms of legends.
[Back at Monkey’s house, having finished their treats, washed their hands, both Puppy and Monkey sat down on the living room sofa. No words were needed. No interest in TV or TV remote. Each of the buddies sat there with Sarah-sized smiles with no other thought in their heads but “Wow, that raccoon can fly!”]
Posted 9/18/23
N is for NASCAR (P is for Pizza)
In a world that embraced innovation, lived an inseparable duo of ingenious friends: a lively puppy named Puppy and a resourceful monkey named Monkey. Their hearts pulsated with the thrill of discovery, and it was this insatiable curiosity that drew them into a new adventure. The offer came from the prestigious Hendrick Motor Sports, a vanguard in NASCAR racing. Puppy and Monkey, with their recent technological exploits, were summoned to be expert consultants in NASCAR’s pivotal transition to a hybrid powertrain starting in 2024.
The CEO of Hendrick Racing, knowing their penchant for wild creativity, succinctly put it, “Now, boys, nothing too fancy here. We’re not racing on Mars or racing intergalactic comets around the universe. We just need to figure out how to get from point A to point B.”
Back in their sprawling underground laboratory, Puppy and Monkey absorbed the challenge. Their basement hideout, a marvel of engineering, spanned the size of two city blocks and hid beneath 50 feet of reinforced ground. To work they went, driven by the call to solve this mechanical puzzle.
Puppy and Monkey, emboldened by the belief that solutions might lie beyond our cosmic neighborhood, embarked on an interstellar journey. Their trusty time and space machine transported them to familiar and unfamiliar planets alike. They visited the orangeish world of Doogisktisk, where vegetation-based technology amazed them. From plants alone, the Doogi civilization engineered the most amazing spaceships and propulsions systems for interstellar transport. Then the red rocky realm of Trukdak revealed insights into eradicating air pollution in just three years, after recognizing their whole planet could be completely uninhabitable within one decade, 10 years.
Lastly, Malawanu, shrouded in mist and inhabited by tiny yet technologically advanced civilizations, granted a perspective on sustainable coexistence with nature. The planet’s miniature yet technologically ornate cities, huddled beneath the misty canopy, showcased harmonious living with their environment.
After these planetary explorations, Puppy and Monkey gathered not only technological support but also an unconventional process for global cooperation to tackle Earth’s energy and pollution crisis. Their findings were more than gadgets; they were catalysts for a new direction. Rather than simply inventing an “out of this world” solution, they championed a collaborative approach to cleaner energy. Experts across cultural divides, and scientists from around the world could contribute in a united goal.
When presented with their discoveries, the CEO of Hendrick Sports and the racing community embraced the process. Puppy and Monkey, their pockets untouched by payment, infused their wisdom into the racing world. Their journey yielded an unexpected twist only Puppy and Monkey would ever know about: fueled by their explorations, they began crafting a groundbreaking mode of transportation that defied the laws of physics and literally could “cheat” aerodynamics as we know it. While Monkey celebrated, Puppy, practical as always, decided to order pizza.
In this tale of two adventurous souls, Puppy and Monkey showed that knowledge and collaboration could reshape even the grandest challenges. As they returned to their basement, pizza in hand and fully rejuvenated by their adventure, they knew that their involvement in NASCAR’s transition was just the beginning. The skies of exploration and innovation stretched out before them, waiting for their next leap into the unknown.
posted 8/31/23
Making It Right
In a world where compassion knew no bounds, lived an extraordinary pair of friends: a lively puppy named Puppy and a resourceful monkey named Monkey. Their hearts brimmed with kindness, and it was this innate goodness that led them to embark on a remarkable journey of philanthropy.
One day, as the sun painted the horizon with shades of gold, Puppy and Monkey huddled together with a purpose. They had a plan to raise funds for a local charity, Make It Right, with a statewide reach, dedicated to supporting children experiencing homelessness and food insecurity. We know what homelessness can mean, but food insecurity means that on any day or even several days in a row, a child might not have any or enough food – good, nutritious food – to be healthy. The goal they set was ambitious: $20,000 in just three weeks.
Monkey, the ideas guru, proposed creating a GoFundMe campaign, spiced up with slow-motion videos of Puppy’s comical morning rituals. Just one thought Monkey had was taking videos every morning of Puppy drooling on his pillow as he woke up. It was so crazy, because Puppy would have slobber strings that would stretch up to 12 inches off his pillow while still connected to his lips. Puppy, though flattered – not, had a different vision. He aspired to invent a device that could tangibly make a difference in people’s lives. The content he envisioned was one of helping, not just humor.
Together, they delved into an even grander concept: a machine that freeze-dried food, retaining nutrition and eliminating the need for preservatives. This food could withstand harsh conditions and be packaged sustainably. And with Puppy’s insight, they saw a way to integrate Monkey’s shrinking and enlarging process.
Monkey’s excitement was infectious as he engineered their creation. In just four days, Puppy and Monkey had a prototype that met their lofty standards. The invention resembled a countertop silver and blue microwave, with two automated robotic arms. These arms shot a purple and white laser at the food placed onto the glass tray in the center of the machine. When Puppy or Monkey would place the food on the tray and then remove their hand, a sensor would lower an energy field across the 24 by 18 inch opening that shimmered gold.
Then, Puppy or Monkey would push the distinctive green circular button on the top right of the machine. Within 2 seconds, a purple laser would shoot from the robotic arms, shrinking and freeze-drying the food. If they wanted to enlarge the food for consumption, a white laser would pop from the ends of the arms. No humming, no sounds, no noises. The energy field would simply raise back up within 10 seconds, and the food was ready to be taken out and distributed.
With the invention ready, they approached the charity, Make It Right, for a public unveiling. On the appointed day, the event was a spectacle. News outlets flocked to cover the groundbreaking invention that promised to transform lives. With their patent and copyright in hand, Puppy and Monkey announced a remarkable decision: they were donating the invention directly to Make It Right.
The $20,000 goal they had initially set paled in comparison to the impact they were about to make. The invention had the potential to generate millions, even billions, for the charity over just the next ten years. Their contribution was hailed as a beacon of hope for children across the globe facing homelessness and hunger.
Posted 08/30/23
The Arug Queen and Scotch-Hopping Good Times
In a world where the impossible was just a step away, there lived an inseparable duo of unlikely friends: a lively puppy named Puppy and a mischievous monkey named Monkey. Their bond was forged through countless escapades, from frolicking in the sunlit meadows to soaring among the stars. Adventures were their way of life, and they cherished every moment spent together.
One morning, as the sun painted the sky with hues of orange and pink, Puppy and Monkey decided to embark on a daring escapade to a distant planet known as Arug. Armed with their homemade time machine, constructed with an odd assortment of gadgets and gizmos collected from their basement, they eagerly set the coordinates and pulled the lever. The contraption hummed, sparkled, and with a burst of light, they found themselves on the curious terrain of Arug.
However, their time machine had a knack for unpredictability. The once-clear blue sky of Arug was now dominated by swirling vortexes of blue and purple, out of which emerged otherworldly beings. Blue and purple aliens with multiple eyes and shimmering appendages surrounded them. Undeterred, Puppy and Monkey, fueled by their unbreakable friendship, stood tall.
What followed were epic battles that put their bravery and creativity to the test. From dodging laser beams in the dense forests to outwitting the aliens in zero-gravity space skirmishes, their teamwork shone brighter than the stars. The aliens’ technology was advanced, but Puppy’s agility and Monkey’s cunning proved to be worthy adversaries.
As they ventured deeper into Arug’s unknown landscapes, Puppy and Monkey discovered that the aliens had captured the benevolent Queen Zara, ruler of the Arugians. Determined to save her, they hatched a plan that was as audacious as it was unexpected. Instead of using force, they decided to introduce the aliens to a new form of entertainment: hopscotch. The concept was so alien to the invaders that their curiosity was piqued.
With makeshift hopscotch squares drawn in the sandy ground, Puppy and Monkey guided the aliens through the steps. Laughter and camaraderie replaced hostility, and the aliens, once fearsome, transformed into giddy participants. Their once-menacing weapons were discarded in favor of chalk and rocks. As they hopped and jumped, a connection formed between species that had been on the brink of conflict.
In the end, their plan worked. The aliens, now engrossed in the game, were more interested in play than conquest. They released Queen Zara, who was touched by the profound lesson of friendship Puppy and Monkey had taught. Grateful for their intervention, she bestowed upon them the highest honor of Arug: a pair of amulets that held the planet’s ancient wisdom.
With the amulets in hand, Puppy and Monkey bid farewell to their new friends and set the coordinates for home. As their time machine hummed once more, they looked back on Arug, knowing that their adventurous spirits had not only saved a planet but had also woven bonds that transcended space and time. Through their shared laughter, battles, and hopscotch games, Puppy and Monkey had etched their names into the heart of the universe itself.
Posted 08/29/23
Kiersta’s Merry-Go-Round
STORIES WITH ANNA ISABELLA
How Anna and Rainey’s Halloween Treehouse Adventure Made Us Giggle
Anna and Rainey were best friends who loved playing games and being creative. One sunny day, Rainey invited Anna over to her house. Anna brought her favorite paint set with her. As she approached Rainey’s front door, she heard Rainey say, “Oh, yeah, Anna’s here!” Rainey was very excited to see her friend.
When the door opened, Rainey had a huge smile and sparkles in her eyes. She couldn’t wait to play with Anna and had lots of ideas. Anna offered her paint set, and Rainey suggested they paint her room for Halloween. Anna thought it was a good idea but wanted to ask Rainey’s mom first. They quickly checked with her, and Rainey’s mom suggested they paint the inside of the treehouse instead. Both girls were thrilled and agreed to the new plan.
With their paints and brushes, they climbed up to the treehouse and started decorating it. They were having so much fun and decided to surprise Rainey’s mom with their Halloween costumes. They carefully sneaked inside, grabbed spooky costumes, and made their way to the living room. Just as they were about to scare her, Rainey’s mom walked away.
Panicked, they followed her to the kitchen. As they prepared to give her a scare, they counted down, “3… 2… 1… Ahhhh!” But instead of getting scared, Rainey’s mom had two cups of hot chocolate with marshmallows waiting for them. They were so surprised but happy.
They sat down at the table, removed their masks, and enjoyed the delicious hot chocolate. It turned out to be a wonderful day filled with creativity, surprises, and the warmth of friendship, making their bond even stronger.
The three of them spent the rest of the afternoon decorating the treehouse for Halloween. Rainey’s mom even joined in on the fun, helping them come up with spooky ideas. They hung up fake cobwebs, placed glowing lanterns, and painted eerie faces on the wooden walls. The treehouse was soon transformed into a haunted hideout.
As the day turned to evening, Anna and Rainey decided to have a little Halloween party in their spooky treehouse. Rainey’s mom brought up some snacks, and they played games, told ghost stories, and laughed until it was time to go back home. It had been a fantastic day, and they couldn’t wait for more adventures together. Their friendship was stronger than ever, and they knew there would be many more exciting days ahead.
(posted on 11/04/23)